We bring together preeminent experts and Nobel laureates with leadership experience in nuclear energy science, technology, and policy, alongside the top minds in geology, and environmental science. We add to that, business leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs for an exemplary advisory board.
Steven Chu
Nobel Prize winner in Physics, 12th U.S. Secretary of Energy, former Director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Dr. Chu is currently Professor of Physics and Professor of Molecular and Cell Physiology at Stanford University. Chu initiated ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy), created the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future, published 260 papers in physics, biophysics, biology, biomedicine, and batteries, and holds 10 patents.
Meghan Caiazzo
Meghan Caiazzo is an experienced executive leader with over 20 years guiding organizations through complex growth, operational scale, and strategic transitions. She has built and led companies from launch to $100M+, with expertise in P&L oversight, governance, fundraising, and M&A execution. Alongside her operating roles, Meghan has advised CEOs and boards on scaling, risk management, and preparing for regulatory and strategic milestones. She holds an MBA from Southern Methodist University, a certificate in Entrepreneurial Innovation from Stanford University, and is an active YPO member focused on empowering leaders to achieve long-term success.
Clay Collier
With expertise in communication architecture and software development, he has established himself as a leading player in both the geospatial and energy markets. Collier is also a Mentor at SkyDeck Berkeley, which was one of the first research university startup accelerators developed to foster entrepreneurial excellence.
Terry Considine
A Colorado entrepreneur, Considine has been a real estate investor for more than 45 years, serving on four REITs as CEO. Through the Considine Companies, he has invested in real estate, television broadcasting, convenience stores, environmental services, and venture capital. Considine is a director of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Intrepid Potash (NYSE: IPI) in Denver, Colorado.
Bill Edwards
A high-level expert in international strategy development and delivery for governments and businesses. Edwards has a track record in over 40 countries and has worked for major corporations including Microsoft, Intel, Dell and HP, as well as with global organizations including the World Bank and UN. A former senior UK civil servant, he co-led digital transformation in the Blair government from 2000 to 2004.
Richard Esposito
As a veteran of over 30 years of experience in the electrical utility industry, Dr. Esposito currently serves as an R&D Program Manager at Southern Company. He also serves on the research faculty and as a graduate student advisor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is the President of the Alabama Geological Society, Vice Chair of the Energy Division of the Geological Society of America, and serves on the Executive Committee for the International Energy Agency – GHG program. Dr. Esposito’s current research focuses on a wide range of energy-related technology issues including bulk energy storage, geothermal power, deep well underground injection control and isolation, and Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS). He has published extensively and lectured internationally on a wide range of energy-related issues.
Tom Isaacs
Tom Isaacs is a well-recognized national and international leader in the fields of nuclear energy, nuclear waste management, nuclear security, controversial facility siting, stakeholder engagement, and earning public trust and confidence. Mr. Isaacs serves as the Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement Expert at Deep Isolation, a private company offering an innovative solution for the safe, permanent disposal of nuclear waste. Mr. Isaacs served as the lead advisor in the development of the Blue Ribbon Commission Report on America’s Nuclear Future, written under the direction of the President of the United States that recommended the path forward for the U.S. nuclear waste program. He also helped develop the strategic approach currently being implemented by the Canadian NWMO to manage and dispose of spent nuclear fuel.
Daniel Metlay
Independent researcher with in-depth expertise in the challenges presented by radioactive waste, Metlay was a member of the Senior Professional Staff of the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. He also served in the Carter White House and with the Secretary of Energy on radioactive waste-management issues.
Monica Mwanje
An expert with 17 years’ nuclear sector experience garnered from working in technical and business leadership roles. In her current work, she provides strategic consultancy services for organizations seeking growth and transformation in nuclear and other regulated sectors. With a specialism in inclusion and diversity, Monica works with multi-disciplined technical teams, boards, and leadership teams, advising on how to develop, implement and maintain inclusive working cultures.
Per Peterson
Nuclear Engineering Professor at UC Berkeley. His research focuses on problems in energy and environmental systems, including high-temperature reactors, high-level nuclear waste processing, and nuclear materials management. Peterson served as a member of the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future that provided a national framework for the nuclear waste management strategy.
John Raymont
An award-winning entrepreneur experienced delivering success in the global nuclear market. Most recently, Raymont was the Founder and President of Kurion Inc., which he established to “isolate waste from the environment to support clean, safe, and secure nuclear power”. Under his leadership, Kurion grew into a global business providing innovative, class-leading waste management products and services that lower waste management lifecycle costs. Kurion was sold to Veolia in 2016 for $350 million.
Jen Schneider
A professor at the School of Public Service at Boise State University, Schneider conducts research on the public communication of scientific and environmental topics, with a particular focus on energy industry rhetoric and technical discourse. Her expertise includes federal public engagement efforts; hydrofracturing and induced seismicity perceptions; nuclear power and waste; climate change and social movements; and transitions in American energy policy. She frequently serves as a stakeholder engagement specialist for government agencies.
James Smalhout
Former Federal Reserve economist, World Bank consultant, derivatives trader and author of over 100 financial publications. Currently focused on start-up investments in medical devices and nuclear energy.
Barbara Laflin Treat
President/CEO of InfrastructureWorld (IW), a global consulting company that advises clients on the structuring, financing, and development of complex infrastructure projects. Prior to launching IW two decades ago, she spent over a decade with global construction giant, Bechtel Corporation, and was the first woman named a Principal Vice President in Bechtel’s history. She has worked in Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas, and on projects in energy, transport, water, and government facilities.
Rob Utter
Veteran Oil and Gas Leader – Drilling and Technology Innovation. Rob Utter is a seasoned professional with 35 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, specializing in drilling operations and technology innovation. Over the course of his 30+ year career with Schlumberger, Rob has worked across the globe, gaining expertise in every aspect of well construction and optimization. Rob now resides in Colorado, where he continues to drive progress in drilling technology and serves as an advisor and thought leader within the energy industry.
Heather Westra
Independent consultant with over 30 years working in Indian Country, focusing primarily on regulatory and legislative matters related to spent nuclear fuel storage, transportation, and disposal. In addition, Ms. Westra has trained hundreds of tribal representatives in the areas of emergency management planning, emergency management operations, and hazard mitigation. Ms. Westra proudly served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala from 1984 to 1987.
Observers
Jeffrey S. Merrifield
Legal Advisor to the Advisory Board
The Honorable Jeffrey S. Merrifield, is a former presidential appointee to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, who leads the nuclear practice at Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman LLP. He is widely recognized as an international thought leader on nuclear power and nuclear regulation. His practice is focused on advanced nuclear and fusion technologies, and he is currently the Chair of the U.S. Nuclear Industry Council. Jeff serves as a legal advisor to Deep Isolation.